The prolonged heat wave is increasing Alberta’s wildfire risk at a rapid pace, Alberta Wildfire said Tuesday morning
Suncor and Cenovus employees in the oil sands are being evacuated due to wildfires in northern Alberta as the current heat wave increases the risk of fires across the province.
The Firebag site produces about 215,000 barrels per day and has about 400 people on site each day, according to Suncor’s website.
Cenovus has meanwhile demobilized staff “not directly involved in operations” at its Sunrise site. The site is about 60 kilometres northeast of Fort McMurray and produces about 50,000 barrels per day, according to a 2022 company release. The site is fully owned by Cenovus.
The prolonged heat wave is increasing Alberta’s wildfire risk at a rapid pace, Alberta Wildfire said Tuesday morning.
The advisories come after a wet and cool spring in southern Alberta that’s largely kept the region’s skies clear of wildfire smoke. Northern Alberta, however, is experiencing several wildfires, including two major out-of-control blazes.
More than 200 firefighters are working to manage an aggressive 13,000-hectare fire about 70 kilometres northeast of Fort McMurray, and about eight kilometres from industrial facilities in the oil sands. Monday’s update on the fire said firefighters expected a “challenging” day due to hotter temperatures.
Several other wildfires in the Peace region are burning close to each other, according to Alberta Wildfire, which is so far requiring 113 firefighters to attend the scene. One of those fires is estimated to be greater than 16,000 hectares and was caused by lightning. That fire is not deemed a threat to any communities.